On a review, then,
of all these circumstances, I cannot but presume, that it has not
been intended to reverse, in a moment, views so maturely digested, and
uniformly pursued; and that the general expressions of the _Arret_ of
September the 28th had within their contemplation the nations of Europe
only. This presumption is further strengthened by having observed, that
in the treaties of commerce, made since the epoch of our independence,
the _jura gentis amicissimcae_ conceded to other nations, are expressly
restrained to those of the 'most favored European nation': his Majesty
wisely foreseeing that it would be expedient to regulate the commerce of
a nation, which brings nothing but raw materials to employ the industry
of his subjects, very differently from that of the European nations,
who bring mostly what has already passed through all the stages of
manufacture.
On these circumstances, I take the liberty of asking information from
your Excellency, as to the extent of the late _Arret_: and if I have not
been mistaken in supposing it did not mean to abridge that of December
the 29th, I would solicit an explanatory _Arret_, to prevent the
misconstruction of it, which will otherwise take place.
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